This shot from Jane Leibell’s collection of photographs donated to the Montauk Library in 2005 says everything about seasonal celebrations in November: the Girl Scouts are at the Firehouse, and have just cooked a delicious Thanksgiving turkey! (Although “the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” as they say).
We know that a Boy Scout troop was established in Montauk as early as the 1930s. In fact, the Montauk Library has photographs of the Boy Scouts in its archives dating from this early period. We know less about the presence of the Girl Scouts in Montauk. However this photograph, and a few others given to the Library by Jane Leibell, prove that at least one troop was thriving in Montauk in 1991.
We need help identifying the girls in this picture, and would appreciate, also, hearing from any girl or family member who was actually at the Firehouse on this day in November 29 years ago.
Juliette Low, who founded the Girl Scouts in 1912, was criticized for training girls in activities that were “only suitable for boys.” Yes, Girl Scouts learned cooking and the fundamentals of First Aid, but also cared for livestock. Cartography was deemed important for a young girl’s mind, as was military preparedness: Low’s friends in the army taught the Girl Scouts drilling and signaling.
Juliette Low was an excellent marksman. A crack shot known for her prowess at hunting partridge, she would have landed this turkey and dressed it herself. That’s why she’d be proud of the way this troop worked collaboratively to cook such a beautiful specimen. And since Juliette Low also believed that young girls should have fun, she would have loved this photograph of the Montauk Girl Scouts.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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